Unveiling the Essence: The Origins and Ethos of Furnished Quarters
- Oct 16, 2024
Furnished Quarters has been one of the industry leaders in the world of short-term housing for years. Our unique company origin as a provider of furnished temporary residences and our attention to detail have set us apart in a sea of other rental companies.
Read on to see why we stand out among the crowd and what it truly means to stay at our “home away from home.”
The Founding Inspiration
Furnished Quarters all started from an idea that came while reading a newspaper.
Around 25 years ago, Steve Brown sat back with the real estate section of the New York Times and saw information about renting out furnished apartments. An idea sparked to life as he spoke with his brother, Gary. The Brown family had years of experience in the furniture business. This, combined with their experience in real estate, was the perfect recipe for success.
Together, they came up with Furnished Quarters and set out to provide comfortable, high-quality short-term rentals.
They started in 1998 with one furnished brownstone. It only took a two-hour open house before it was completely full of renters. As business grew, they added more apartments and buildings. They used connections to local landlords to acquire more varied sizes and types of apartments.
Now, Furnished Quarters has thousands of apartments in over 12 major cities across the country with even more rental opportunities popping up worldwide.
What’s in a Name?
Why “Furnished Quarters” you may ask?
The name was under debate for some time, but the Brown brothers eventually decided. They wanted a name that would directly explain what they offer—completely decorated and furnished apartment rentals—yet also imply the services provided are premium and luxury.
Steps Toward Company Growth
Several key decisions have led to company growth, but these four are some of the most significant.
1. Collaborating with Developers
This strategy began when the Furnished Quarters team approached the developer of apartments at 777 6th Avenue in New York with an attractive proposal. The developer would let Furnished Quarters acquire a number of apartments, and in return, Furnished Quarters would stage the model apartments to help the rest sell quickly.
Thanks to this deal, the 777 6th Ave apartments are some of the most popular in our apartment inventory.
This transaction was the gateway to finding more apartments through this type of partnership. This significantly helped Furnished Quarters gain traction in New York City and solidify our standing in the industry.
777 6th Avenue, New York, NY
2. Finding our Customers
When the business began, we focused mostly on leisure travelers. As the business grew and saw more trends among renters, we realized we needed to cater to a different kind of traveler as well.
Our sales staff identified business travelers and advertised to companies with corporate housing needs. This quiet direction of focus surprised the industry and cemented our position as an industry leader for corporate and individual travelers.
3. Hiring the Right People
The best strategic decision we have ever made is our focus on hiring the right people for every open position. “Our team’s dedication, knowledge and experience in the industry are the key to our valued reputation, long term growth, and market positioning. Our exceptional employees cater to our customers 24/7, answering questions and fulfilling their needs,” said President and Co-owner Gary Brown.
4. Evolving to Meet Client Needs
What sets us apart is how we are willing to listen to client requests. Customization makes the difference between a good stay and a great one.
We also listen to guest comments and suggestions. For example, we included sofa beds in every Manhattan apartment and started including welcome kits upon guest arrival based on provided feedback.
The “Home Away from Home” Approach
As Furnished Quarters started growing, executives needed to make decisions about the company’s goals and values. “Home away from home” has always been our motto, but what did that mean for us exactly?
Steve Brown, CEO and Co-owner stated, “We want to make every guest that walks through our doors feel that they are in a safe space—where they can relax and unwind. We also understand that many of our renters come to us during a disruptive time: medical treatments, home repairs or damage, relocation, or intensive work trips. With this in mind, we try to make our apartments as comfortable as possible so guests can feel the peace that comes from being in your own space.”
Influence of Local Culture
While we want guests to feel comfortable, we also strive to offer authentic local experiences and make design choices that capture the neighborhood culture. We really want our guests to walk into their apartment, see the space, and instantly feel that they are truly at home in New York, or San Fransisco, or Boston.
Our Attitude Toward Guests and Employees
We believe in treating both those who work for us and those we work for with the same level of respect and attention.
For Our Guests
Our brand places extreme value on providing a unique, personalized, and authentic “home away from home” experience. Our company is always willing to meet any partner or guest to make their experience comfortable and enjoyable.
For example: A famous actress and singer stayed with us at our Longacre House location. Our CEO Steve Brown, personally went to her apartment to personalize her space as she requested. This is just one example of how the founders go above and beyond for their clients.
Another example lies with people who travel for medical treatments. These are often difficult situations that leave loved ones feeling stressed and overwhelmed. In these cases, our staff has gone above and beyond to help families have extra comforts during their stay.
For Our Employees
We always strive to show our employees our appreciation. To show our gratitude, we often held semiannual parties where we hand out awards for outstanding performances, demonstrating our appreciation. We also work to foster a collaborative, welcoming atmosphere for all that focuses on our commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. We are a company with a distinct sense of character that genuinely cares about our people and treating all employees with dignity and respect.
Choose Furnished Quarters and Experience Comfortable Luxury
As a leader in the short-term housing industry, we are constantly working towards growing our company to provide more locations for our loyal guests and partners. We value every person who walks through our doors, whether that be a guest or employee.
Explore our open apartments and find the perfect home away from home for your next short-term stay. See for yourself how Furnished Quarters can make your short-term stay exceptional.